Three of Kewaunee County's most prominent dairy farmers said they believe large-scale agriculture is part of the reason for groundwater contamination problems, but they also believe the industry is in the best position to provide a solution.

The owners of Kinnard Farms Inc., Pagels Ponderosa Dairy and Dairy Dreams LLC said during an interview with Press-Gazette Media that they hope people will give them a chance to showcase new technologies they believe will reduce groundwater pollution while also maintaining the size of their operations.

“What we’re looking to say is, hey, we realize we have a very large footprint out there, but we can be the solution,” Kinnard Farms co-owner Lee Kinnard said. “I think we can be the solution instead of being looked at as the problem."

Owners of large-scale farms, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations, have argued for a long time that the amount of contamination was exaggerated, and that antiquated septic systems and bad wells played a bigger role in the problem than agriculture.

“The mindset of more and more farmers in Kewaunee County is we believe agriculture has played a role in this problem," he said. "It only makes sense. We are the larger producer of nitrates. We have to have played a role in it.”

The farmers' offer to provide solutions comes amid national scrutiny of the county’s largest farms. Media outlets, including Aljazeera America, have examined the county’s groundwater problems. And, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has stepped in, forcing farmers, environmentalists and state Department of Natural Resources staff to form work groups seeking solutions.

A scientific study released in December found 34 percent of wells tested in the county had unsafe levels of bacteria and nitrates. The results mirrored the rate of contamination shown from voluntary tests.

“We’re here to be responsible for our portion of the problem,” said Pagels Ponderosa Dairy owner John Pagel, a Kewaunee County supervisor and head of the county’s land and water conservation committee.

The three farmers, who milk upward of 17,000 cows combined, touted several possible solutions, including more widespread use of cover crops to manage soil erosion and runoff.

Another solution they suggested, center-pivot manure irrigation, is already being condemned by some environmentalists as dangerous. Some areas, including West Kewaunee, have banned it.

Center-pivot irrigation systems are more commonly used to spray water on farm fields using drop nozzles attached to a pivoting arm.

The farmers said center-pivot systems will help them spread manure more safely and efficiently than with trucks, and a recent study indicated little risk of airborne pathogens. The study did not show the short and long-term effects of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and particulate matter from sprayed manure on human health. It also didn’t show if manure irrigation reduces runoff.

“It makes a lot of sense, but it’s going to be new and alarming to some people,” Niles said.

Farmers are also working to map out areas with shallow soils and fractured bedrock that can allow manure to seep into the groundwater if spread too heavily. Once identified, farmers can avoid spreading manure in those areas.